We're paying a boat load in taxes, need tips

[sweeps]

Nothing wrong with tax avoidance. Just as long as it doesn't become tax evasion.

[stngymama]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

If I feel my tax money is being spent poorly, I use other avenues to express my frustration.

Ditto!

[jmjj215]

It's your moral obligation to pay the taxes you owe - and not a penny more.

[cicy33]

I certainly did not mean to offend anyone by suggesting that anyone was looking to avoid paying taxes. I hate to pay taxes and if given a LEGAL opportunity I take it! I will be the first to admit I look for ways to lower my taxable income. I really thought everyone did.

[jmjj215]

Cicy, I don't think anyone thought you were doing something unethical, illegal, immoral, etc. You're just being very aggressive in making sure you get all of the legal deductions. In my last post I was speaking more to those people that think it's immoral to lower your tax bill as much as possible (legally) - that's just plain smart

[lrjohnson]

I think I need to clarify here. Or may be not, but I'm gonna.

There are taxes that we currently have, state, local, income, whatever. And we need to pay those honestly, but we shouldn't pay more than what we owe, and that's fine. I'mn with that.

Then there are times when we are faced with approving a new tax. Either directly voting for it, like a Californian Initiative, or, deciding whether to support a politician who may raise some form of taxes.

Right now it seems like the majority can be very often against raising taxes, and I don't always agree with that.

Now, there are great reasons to be against taxes. You don't support what the tax will pay for. You feel the area is correctly funded but the money is being spent incorrectly-for example, some people think schools get a decent amount of money but that too much is spent on administration and overhead, and not enough on classrooms and teachers. (I don't have kids-I can't speak to either side here.) People who are versed in economics may belive that a particular tax or tax increase may hurt the economy, or have other unintended consequences. And in these cases and cases like these, its perfectly appropriate in my mind to oppose those taxes.

What can particularly bother me, is when people oppose a tax solely because it will cost them money. Without looking at the benefits that either they or the community will get. The fire department is very low on funds and is cutting services. A small local tax is introduced to keep these vital services going. People vote it down, even though they might very well be very angry if and when a fire truck takes too long to arrive.

So I often vote for a tax, or a politician who might raise taxes, even though may cost me money, if I think that funding is needed in certain areas.

I hope I've clarified what I meant. Sorry Cicy I reacted strongly, but it has been a personal peeve when I hear people complain about delivery of certain services but also state that they would never want to pay more in taxes. (And yes, if they felt that adequate monies were being spent inadequately I understand that.)

[jmjj215]

What can particularly bother me, is when people oppose a tax solely because it will cost them money. Without looking at the benefits that either they or the community will get.

I believe you said it all right there. Very well put.